Where Is The National Gallery Located In London?

The National Gallery is located on the north side of Trafalgar Square, overlooking the fountains and observed from above by Nelson on his Column. The gallery houses the national collection of Western European painting, which incorporates almost 2,500 pictures.

The building itself has been criticised since its inception as being unfit for its purpose. Many have said that it is an unsatisfactory addition to Trafalgar Square, and it has been compared unfavourably to similarly purpose-built buildings in Paris and elsewhere. From the beginning it was plagued by problems, particularly in its position. The architect, John Nash, was forced to place the building farther north than he originally wished in order to protect the view around St Martin-in-the-Fields church. Similarly there was, at the time of building, a public right of way running through the land of which the Gallery was to stand. This, in tandem with the barracks which was situated directly behind, led to the Gallery only being built one room deep, a characteristic which has long been bemoaned.